Franchise Notes

In Phoenix, Rebekah Sanders cites sources as saying that the Glendale City Council is "scheduled to receive a briefing" Tuesday on PEAK6 Investments CEO Matthew Hulsizer, who is reported to be in talks to buy the Coyotes from the NHL. The council "could vote as early as Sept. 14 on a preliminary lease agreement" with Hulsizer. The proposed deal includes Ice Edge Holdings, a longtime Coyotes suitor, "as a minority owner." Hulsizer and Ice Edge CEO Keith McCullough "both played collegiate hockey and are said to run in similar investment circles" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/3).

Sarver Reportedly Not Interested
In Selling WNBA Mercury

THE SUN WILL COME OUT TOMORROW: A Suns official said that Robert Sarver "does not intend to sell" the WNBA Phoenix Mercury. There has been "some scuttle around town" that Sarver "might want to unload" the defending WNBA champions. But the team official said, "He is not looking to sell." The Mercury are averaging "just under 9,000 fans per game" this season (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/2).

Déjà vu: In N.Y., Tyler Kepner details Walt Jocketty's turnaround of the Reds as he wraps up his "second full season" as GM. Heading into Labor Day weekend, the Reds own the NL's best record, yet "fan support is still tepid; the Reds averaged fewer than 17,000 fans in their most recent home series, and they rank 12th of 16 N.L. teams in attendance per game." The Reds hope that their "performance will increase the season-ticket base and help add to a payroll that ranked 19th in the majors on opening day." If that happens, Jocketty "could build in Cincinnati what he built in St. Louis: a sustained contender in a midsize market rich in tradition" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/3).

TAKING PRIDE: Lions Vice Chair Bill Ford Jr. Wednesday said that he "sees improvement in how the front office operates now compared to when Matt Millen called the shots." Ford believes that he and his father, Lions Chair William Clay Ford Sr., "finally got it right" with GM Martin Mayhew. Ford: "I don’t want to replay the last 10 years. We are where we are. I’m just very happy with the new regime." He said that the "biggest changes he sees are better organizational preparation and better communication between branches of the front office" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/2).